The aspiring Potter who became a Trotter

In the world of Quidditch and Hogwarts, Ben Smith didn't quite find the magic touch.

But he made a perfect son and heir to Del Boy Trotter.

The schoolboy actor was pipped to the post by Daniel Radcliffe in auditions for Harry Potter.

His considerable consolation, however, is a starring role as Damien Derrick Trotter in the £1million revival of Only Fools and Horses to be shown on Christmas Day.

Set in Monte Carlo, it shows the Trotters at last enjoying the trappings of wealth, and young Damien, who was just a toddler the last time the show came to the screen, proving a severe thorn in the side of his uncle Rodders.

'He's a cheeky lad who has no interests apart from annoying Rodney - but I'm not allowed to say how,' said Ben yesterday. 'He was a weird baby but now he's a cool dude who irritates his uncle.' As far as the Harry Potter experience is concerned, Ben is putting a brave face on things.

'I'm quite glad now that I didn't get the job, because I wouldn't like to be famous all over the world. Being famous here will be enough for me.

'And I wouldn't want to end up in Hollywood because I'd have a 12-hour flight to see my mum.'

Ben, 11, couldn't speak highly enough of his more seasoned costars, David Jason as Del Boy and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney.

'They are very professional,' he said. 'They take it very seriously. But even so there were loads of times we had to stop filming because we were all laughing so much at what we were doing.

'The ability they have to make us laugh is amazing. It was my first time doing comedy and it's hard not to laugh when the crew are all cracking up.

'When David is too old to carry on they'll have to stop making the show because no other actor could ever be as good.'

Ben's talent has also been recognised by Madonna's husband, Guy Ritchie, who cast him as a gypsy boy alongside Brad Pitt in last year's film, Snatch.

He attends a comprehensive school near his North London home but has a private tutor on Sundays to catch up on missed work.

His mother Clare, a 39-year-old school bursar, said: 'I'm really chuffed. I don't know where he gets the talent - I used to be in amateur productions but hated every minute of it.' His father Terry, 54, is a construction worker.

Ben, who has also been seen in the drama Second Sight, several TV commercials and an episode of Holby City, added: 'No-one treats me differently at school, but that might change after Christmas.

'My friend is in Grange Hill, so I know what to expect. If people want autographs that's OK.' The Christmas episode is one of three one-hour specials. The others will be screened later in the year.